Strap-type carrier and shoulder strap pad with integrated cover for carrier

ABSTRACT

A carrier having two adjustable straps which encircle an object to be carried by the carrier and a cover for said carrier is provided herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a strap-type carrier for objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Outdoor activities often require individuals to carry equipment from location to location. For example, individuals who practice yoga, go to the beach, or have a picnic may have to transport yoga mats, beach towels, or picnic blankets, amongst other objects. There are currently several strap-type carriers on the market, configured in such a fashion that objects are secured by a plurality of straps and the slung over a user's shoulder, or across a user's chest. However, the currently available strap-type carriers do not offer any protection to the object being carried, and, conversely, should the object being carried be soiled, does not offer the user, or other cargo, any protection from becoming soiled.

It is therefore desirable to provide a strap-type carrier with multiple carrying means and a removably disposed cover for the carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention fills the foregoing need. In one embodiment, the strap-type carrier comprises a handle strap, a shoulder strap, a plurality of securement straps, and a shoulder pad with integrated cover for cargo. In a preferred embodiment, the securement straps are substantially orthogonally disposed along opposing regions of the handle strap. It is also preferred that the securement straps are disposed in such a way that the securement straps will have opposing sides relative to the handle strap. The shoulder strap is preferably longitudinally disposed relative to the handle strap. The shoulder pad with integrated cover is preferably removably disposed on the shoulder strap and capable of being deployed around the cargo while the cargo is held by the securement straps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the carrier.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the shoulder pad with integrated cover turned inside out. As shown, the shoulder pad is affixed to the interior bottom of said cover.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the shoulder pad with the integrated cover depicted in FIG. 2, configured for use as a cover.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carrier holding a cylindrical object.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 1 in use with the cover of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a strap-type carrier with a removably disposed cover for the carrier. In one embodiment of the invention, the strap-type carrier comprises a handle strap, a shoulder strap, a plurality of securement straps, and a shoulder pad with integrated cover. The securement straps are substantially orthogonally disposed along opposing regions of the handle strap. Further, the securement straps are disposed in such a way that the securement straps will form substantially orthogonally extending opposing sides relative to the handle strap, said extending opposing sides being removably fastenable to one another. Preferably, the shoulder strap is substantially longitudinally disposed relative to the handle strap and is of a length greater than that of the handle strap. In a preferred embodiment, the shoulder pad with integrated cover is removably disposed on the shoulder strap.

A strap-type carrier 100 in an open configuration is shown in FIG. 1. Handle strap 101 is longitudinally disposed. A shoulder strap 301, having length greater than that of handle strap 101, extends from one end 102 of handle strap 101 to the opposite end 103. Preferably, shoulder strap 301 is longitudinally disposed and substantially parallel to handle strap 101. In a preferred embodiment, shoulder strap 301 is integral with the ends of handle strap 101 such that the two straps form a continuous loop. In alternative embodiments, shoulder strap 301 may be connected to handle strap 101 at points other than the ends of handle strap 101. In such embodiments, the first end of shoulder strap 301 may connect to handle strap 101 at any point between the first end and the midpoint of handle strap 101, and the second end of shoulder strap 301 may connect at any point between the second end and the midpoint of handle strap 101. Handle strap 101 and shoulder strap 301, when not continuous and integral, may be connected by any of various fastening means known in the art, including but not limited to stitching, glue, buckles, clasps, rivets, buttons, snaps, Velcro, cinching mechanisms, and the like. In certain embodiments where shoulder strap 301 is not integral with handle strap 101, shoulder strap 301 may be removably connected to handle strap 101, and may optionally be adjustably connected to handle strap 101, such as by multiple fastening means positioned at various locations along the length of handle strap 101.

In certain embodiments, handle strap 101 and shoulder strap 301 may be made of a completely flexible material, such as a natural or synthetic fabric or fibrous weave. In alternative embodiments, sections or the entirety of handle strap 101 or shoulder strap 301 may contain rigid or stiffening components, such as a metal, plastic, or composite bar or rod. In another alternative embodiment, the handles may be stiffened not by the addition of rigid or stiffening components but rather by the fabrication of the material composing the handle. For example, in a handle made of leather, the leather could be folded over on itself or rolled until the desired stiffness is attained.

Shoulder strap 301 may optionally have a cinching mechanism 601 to adjust the length of shoulder strap 301. Any suitable cinching mechanism known in the art may be used. Securement straps 201 are substantially orthogonally disposed on opposing ends 102 and 103 of handle strap 101. In an alternative embodiment, securement straps 201 are disposed along the length of handle strap 101 other than on the opposing ends 102 and 103, such as anywhere between an opposing end and the midpoint of the handle strap. Securement straps 201 and handle strap 101, when not integral with one another, may be connected by any of various fastening means known in the art, as described above. In certain embodiments, securement straps 201 may be removably connected to handle strap 101, and may optionally be adjustably connected to handle strap 101, such as by multiple fastening means positioned at various locations along the length of handle strap 101. Region 202 of securement straps 201 is detachably fastenable to region 203 of securement straps 201 via fastener 501. Fastener 501 may comprise any suitable fastening means known in the art, such as those described above. In a preferred embodiment, fastener 501 comprises Velcro.

FIG. 1 also shows a removably disposed shoulder pad with integrated cover 401 configured for use as a shoulder pad, disposed on shoulder strap 301. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, shoulder pad 401 may be converted into a cover for the carrier 100. Shoulder pad 401 comprises a base 410, which is removably connectable to shoulder strap 301, and a shell 420, which forms a cavity for receiving carrier 100. Base 410 is depicted as being substantially rectangular, however any desirable shape that is connectable to shoulder strap 301 may be used, such as a circle or oval. Shell 420 can be made of any suitable flexible material, such as cloth, nylon, canvas or any other synthetic or natural woven fiber. Shell 420 may be of a tight or loose weave as may be desires. For example, in one embodiment, shell 420 may be mesh, whereas in another embodiment is may be a substantially tight weave. In some embodiments, shell 420 may be waterproof. In other embodiments, shell 420 may be absorbent. Detachably fastening mechanism 415 is disposed on or near end 413 of top surface 411, and on or near end 414 of bottom surface 412, such that rectangular base 410 can be circumferentially fastened around shoulder strap 301. Any suitable fastening mechanism known in the art may be used. In some embodiments, fastener 415 comprises Velcro.

Bottom surface 412 of base 410 is affixed to interior surface 421 of shell 420. When configured as a shoulder pad, shell 420 is folded into the area directly over the bottom surface 412 of base 410. When base 410 is circumferentially fastened around shoulder strap 301 and used as a shoulder pad, the folded shell 420 may act as additional padding.

FIG. 3 shows the shoulder pad with integrated cover 401 configured for use as a cover. Shell 420 depicted in FIG. 2 is turned inside-out, revealing exterior surface 422. Opening 424 allows access to cavity 423, which can receive the carrier and the object the carrier is holding. The perimeter of opening 424 may optionally comprise an elastic material. Further, opening 424 may comprise a means for opening and closing access to the cavity. Any means known in the art, such as zippers, snaps, ties, cinch cords, buttons, Velcro, and the like may be used.

FIGS. 4 and 5 shows the strap-type carrier in use. FIG. 4 shows the shoulder pad with integrated cover 410 configured for use as a shoulder pad. Securement straps 201 are circumferentially fastened around an object. A user may carry the object and carrier by handle strap 101, or by using shoulder strap 301, and slinging the carrier and object over one's shoulder. FIG. 5 shows the shoulder pad with integrated cover 410 configured for use as a cover. The carrier and object are received in cavity 423. In this manner, the cover 410, depending on the material and purpose, may serve to protect the object being carrier, protect the user from being soiled by a dirty or wet object, protect other cargo or items from being soiled by a dirty or wet object when the carrier is set down or stowed, and additionally secure the object in the carrier or serve to secure or hold other loose objects not wrapped in the securement straps.

The above-described exemplary embodiments are intended to be illustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive, of the present invention. Thus the present invention is capable of many variations in detailed implementation that can be derived from the description contained herein by a person skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications are considered to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A carrier comprising: a longitudinally disposed handle strap having a first end and a second end; a substantially longitudinally disposed shoulder strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the shoulder strap is connected to the first end of the handle strap and the second end of the shoulder strap is connected to the second end of the handle strap; a first securement strap substantially orthogonally connected to the first end of the handle strap and having a first end that is detachably fastenable to a second end forming orthogonally extending opposing sides at the first end of the handle strap; a second securement strap substantially orthogonally connected to the second end of the handle strap and having a first end that is detachably fastenable to a second end forming orthogonally extending opposing sides at the second end of the handle strap; a shoulder pad removably disposed on said shoulder strap, said shoulder pad comprising a base with a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end, and a rear end, wherein the front end of the top surface is detachably fastenable to the rear end of the bottom surface; and a shell defining a cavity adapted to receive an object to be held by said carrier, said shell comprising an open top end, a closed bottom end, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, said bottom end of interior surface being affixed to the bottom surface of said rectangular base.
 2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said shoulder strap further comprises a cinch mechanism for lengthening or shortening the length of the shoulder strap.
 3. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap is integral with the handle strap.
 4. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the means for detachably fastening the first end of a securement strap to the second end is Velcro.
 5. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the shell is waterproof.
 6. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the shell is water resistant.
 7. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the shell is water absorbent.
 8. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the shell further comprises means for closing the opening.
 9. The carrier of claim 9, wherein the closing means is selected from the group consisting of Velcro, buttons, ties, snaps, zippers, elastic, strings, and cinch cords.
 10. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap is removably connected to the handle strap.
 11. A carrier comprising: a longitudinally disposed handle strap having a first end and a second end; a substantially longitudinally disposed shoulder strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the shoulder strap is connected to the handle strap between the first end of the handle strap and the midpoint of the handle strap and the second end of the shoulder strap is connected to the handle strap between the second end of the handle strap and the midpoint of the handle strap; a first securement strap substantially orthogonally connected to the handle strap between the first end of the handle strap and the midpoint of the handle strap and having a first end that is detachably fastenable to a second end forming orthogonally extending opposing sides at the first end of the handle strap; a second securement strap substantially orthogonally connected to the handle strap between the second end of the handle strap and the midpoint of the handle strap and having a first end that is detachably fastenable to a second end forming orthogonally extending opposing sides at the second end of the handle strap; a shoulder pad removably disposed on said shoulder strap, said shoulder pad comprising a base with a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end, and a rear end, wherein the front end of the top surface is detachably fastenable to the rear end of the bottom surface; and a shell defining a cavity adapted to receive an object to be held by said carrier, said shell comprising an open top end, a closed bottom end, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, said bottom end of interior surface being affixed to the bottom surface of said rectangular base.
 12. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the shoulder strap is removably connected to the handle strap.
 13. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the shoulder strap is adjustably connected to the handle strap at one or more points between the first end of the handle strap and the midpoint of the handle strap and at one or more points between the second end of the handle strap and the midpoint of the handle strap.
 14. The carrier of claim 11, wherein said shoulder strap further comprises a cinch mechanism for lengthening or shortening the length of the shoulder strap.
 15. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the means for detachably fastening the first end of a securement strap to the second end is Velcro.
 16. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the shell is waterproof.
 17. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the shell is water resistant.
 18. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the shell is water absorbent.
 19. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the shell further comprises means for closing the opening.
 20. The carrier of claim 19, wherein the closing means is selected from the group consisting of Velcro, buttons, ties, snaps, zippers, elastic, strings, and cinch cords. 